Plagiarism Prevention Program

The Plagiarism Prevention Program (PPP) will strategically address plagiarism through
1) multiple prevention efforts and 2) new procedures to support our academic honesty policies.

Webster University's Academic Honesty Policies are available on the Important Policies
section of the Faculty Resource Guide by clicking here.

Through the alignment of preventative and procedural resources, incidences of plagiarism
can be handled in a manner that provides substantial opportunity for the development
of students' understanding of academic integrity and of the craft of academic writing.
The PPP will provide a consistent, transparent focus on preventing plagiarism and
on formative rather than punitive actions if preventative measures fail.

The following components will help standardize institutional efforts to prevent and
address plagiarism.

Prevention

Encourage all faculty members to discuss plagiarism in first course meetings

Include a plagiarism statement to all course syllabi

Request that programs include a plagiarism tutorial and corresponding assessment in
select, broad-reaching courses (1000, 3000, and 5000 level courses)

Deliver a faculty development program for all faculty members worldwide that addresses
an array of prevention methods, including designing plagiarism-resistant assignments,
using Turnitin, and incorporating good writing and research practices

Increase student training and support for plagiarism prevention, including how to
interpret a Turnitin report and how to properly cite source material

Join the Center for Academic Integrity and actively participate in faculty and staff
development opportunities related to academic integrity concepts

Procedures

Use common definitions for minimal, substantial, complete, and extreme plagiarism
to better address the range of factors that affect student academic dishonesty

Create processes for student development via tutorials and consultations before escalating
to academic deans

Include a system of record-keeping to address repeat offenses and strengthen documentation
for any probationary or dismissal decisions